Travel to Can Tho City, Can Tho Province, Vietnam

Travel to Can Tho City, Can Tho Province, Vietnam with mr.hotsia

When talking about the major central province of the Mekong Delta, known by locals as “Can Tho,” many may be familiar with the famous Cai Rang floating market here, renowned worldwide. As a traveler who loves to dive deep and experience the real lifestyle of locals, I, mr.hotsia, would like to share my honest and detailed experience from this city.

Can Tho – The Vibrant Heart of the Mekong River

Can Tho Province, or locally known as Can Tho, is a city beautifully traversed by the Mekong River. This creates a lifestyle deeply connected to the water, whether it’s the bustling floating markets with boats paddling actively or evening river cruises. Life here mainly moves by boat, as if everything floats along with the river. I felt like I was stepping back to a time when travel was not yet convenient but full of natural charm and community spirit.

Cai Rang and Phoung Dien Floating Markets – Two Must-Visit Floating Markets

If you want to truly experience a floating market, don’t missCai Rang Floating Marketwhich is a large wholesale market located just 6 kilometers from Can Tho city center. Here, I took a boat ride to watch vendors paddling their boats selling fresh vegetables, fruits, and local foods. I must say visiting a floating market like this is not difficult at all. There are boat tours from the city, or for those who prefer freedom, you can take a bus or taxi to rent a boat and explore on your own. Meanwhile,Phoung Dien Floating Marketis a smaller floating market with simple paddled boats where you can see the local lifestyle up close, unlike the bustling and large Cai Rang market.

Relax and Stroll Around Can Tho City

The city of Can Tho itself is charming and not less attractive than the floating markets. I stayed in a budget hotel for about 210 baht per night, located right next to the walking street, which is a hub for restaurants and delicious food. In the evening after sunset, I enjoyed sitting and sippingfresh fruit smoothies by the Mekong Riversuch as durian or jackfruit smoothies. Here, no extra sugar is needed as the sweetness comes naturally from the real fruit. The riverside evening atmosphere is incredibly relaxing.

And of course, the walking street in Can Tho is another highlight I recommend for a stroll.Can Tho Walking StreetYou will see local shops, traditional snacks, and street food loved by Vietnamese people such as grilled pork wrapped in betel leaves and fried chicken sticky rice, so delicious that I had to stop by multiple times.

Local Food in Can Tho – A Must-Try

I love trying local dishes, and Can Tho offers a wide variety. One of my favorites isOriginal Nem NuongHere, the pork is shaped and grilled on skewers with a fragrant aroma and richer taste than what I’ve had back home. Another special feature is using raw banana as a side vegetable instead of other fresh greens, making the flavor unique and memorable. Additionally, there is eel curry and hot pot dishes at the food court on the third floor of the downtown shopping mall. The food here is affordable and tasty, just like eating with locals.

Transportation and Convenience in Can Tho

Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho is easy and convenient, with many bus and taxi options available. I personally prefer using the city’s bus station services.Can Tho Provincial Bus Stationwhich offers comprehensive routes to surrounding provinces. You can also connect by boat to Rach Gia to continue to Phu Quoc Island or cross over to Cambodia.

An Unforgettable Boat Trip

If you have time in the evening, I recommend tryinga dinner cruiseon the Mekong River in Can Tho city. Enjoy views of both riverbanks while savoring traditional Vietnamese food and music. This is a rare experience in other cities and truly shows the riverside life in Can Tho province.

Summary of Experience from mr.hotsia

For those planning to travel to southern Vietnam, especially the Mekong Delta area, I recommend spending at least 2 nights in Can Tho province to fully experience the floating markets, fresh markets, food culture, and riverside lifestyle. Transportation is convenient, and there are hotels at various price levels, especially near the walking street, perfect for strolling, enjoying delicious food, and shopping for local products.

If you want to know Vietnam from a perspective beyond typical tourism, truly experiencing local life like mr.hotsia who traveled here, Can Tho is an answer you shouldn’t overlook.